LANSING – “Cyber” charter school students and families are showing support for a bill expanding the number of such schools in Michigan by reading aloud the names of students unable to attend because of state enrollment caps.

Standing in the state Capitol rotunda, students planned to read the names of about 5,000 students on waiting lists to attend the two existing virtual charter schools.

A bill lifting the cap limiting both the number of schools and the amount of students allowed to enroll cleared the House Education Committee last week and is headed for a floor vote.

Education Committee Chairman Thomas McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, said a vote could come before the end of the month. A measure already has been approved in the state Senate.

The schools allow students in kindergarten through grade 12 to take classes online.
Opponents question whether students receive enough supervision, and argue that the for-profit management companies, running the schools make too much money.

Traditional school districts are boosting the number of virtual classes they offer, but have challenged whether more charter schools should be allowed.

Backers said about 10,000 students applied for virtual charters this year, but limited the reading to 5,000 names because of the time involved.

Rose Fernandez, a board member of the National Coalition for Public School Options, said the virtual schools don’t work for all students, but said they work for some students who learn better through computers or want to avoid traditional schools because of bullying or other problems.

“It’s time to eliminate this needless cap,” she said, as students Steven Smith and Charris Smith read the first name and home towns of applicants.

Both students attend the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, based in Grand Rapids.